Language lessons vital for immigrant students

AT the age of 11, I went with my family to live in Israel.

We arrived in March and until September I attended an intensive Hebrew language programme.

We studied for four or five hours every day, and the course went right through the summer holidays.

In mid-September I was put in a regular school. I was in a class full of native speakers and despite all this training, I could still only understand around 50% of what my classmates were saying.

There were three or four other immigrants in my class and for the first year or so we were taken out of “difficult” lessons (such as grammar and literature) to be given extra language tuition.

Now, as someone who has regular contact with immigrants here, I see the effects of Ireland’s ‘policy’ on this matter.

Even though I myself achieved native competence in a foreign language within two years, I see secondary school children who have been here for two or even three years who are way behind their classmates.

Let’s get over the theatrical outrage about “segregation” and talk about practicalities.

When a country takes in immigrants, it can’t just expect them to work and pay taxes. Certain other steps have to be taken and adequate language training is one of them, both for children and adults.

No child wants to be thrown into a classroom full of native speakers when they don’t understand a word of the language — my first day in the regular school in Israel was a major trauma even though I had already done a language course.

All this talk about “exclusivity” is total rubbish.

Children who don’t speak the local language are different to local children and have different needs. Therefore, they (temporarily) require different treatment.

Jonathan Baum

53 Dargle Road

Blackrock

Co Dublin